On Saturday, Feb. 19, GBHS will continue a decade-long tradition of adding distinguished alumni to its Hall of Fame ranks. The community is invited to celebrate the  accomplishments of Jeff Langrehr and Willmar Meyer Bledsoe at a banquet and induction ceremony held in their honor. 

The first opportunity to celebrate inductees will be at a luncheon at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19 in the Great Bend High School Jack Kilby Commons, 2027 Morton St. Tickets are available for $20 per person and include a catered, three-course luncheon and program. Email reservations to Lana Wolf at lana.wolf@usd428.net by Feb. 4.

The induction ceremony will take place later that evening at center court at approximately 7:10 p.m. between the Varsity Panther basketball games against Liberal. A reception will follow the game in the Jack Kilby Commons at approximately 9:15 p.m. 

GBHS Hall of Fame is also inviting local businesses to support the event with corporate sponsor opportunities. Financial support underwrites the cost of the luncheon, plaques and administrative expenses. 

A few brief highlights about the 2021 Hall of Fame Inductees:

Jeff Langrehr, a 1982 graduate, is an accomplished athlete, baseball and basketball coach, and teacher for over 35 years in Kansas, Colorado, and Missouri. During his time at GBHS, Langrehr enjoyed 22 years as head baseball coach and 15 years as head basketball coach and amassed 562 wins, eight final four appearances, and four state championships.

Honored posthumously, Willmar Meyer “Bill” Bledsoe was a member of the GBHS Class of 1939 and will be celebrated for his athletic accomplishments as a two-time State Champion in track and field as well as for his military service. Bledsoe served the United States honorably as a Marine Corps Officer from 1943-1974 and retired as a Colonel. Bledsoe passed in 1989 and was buried with full military honors in Quantico National Veterans Cemetery.